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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, consider that the Alienware typically offers higher gaming and graphics performance, ideal for demanding games and creative work, but is heavier and less portable than the Stealth. The Stealth is more travel-friendly and adequate for general use and lighter creative tasks, yet with fewer resources for the most intensive workloads. If budget allows and top performance is crucial, the Alienware might be justified, but for balance between mobility and capability at a lower price point, the Stealth is a strong contender. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
- Good portability
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
7.6
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 14 Studio for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2's display offers vibrant colors and sharp details critical for engineering and general usage, but its lower refresh rate can hinder the smooth visuals gamers look for in fast-paced games. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio's display also provides good color accuracy and resolution for professionals and everyday tasks but might not appeal to gamers due to similar refresh rate limitations. Both excel in delivering quality visuals for productivity and creative work but fall short for gaming, where a high refresh rate is essential for the best experience.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.6
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,520
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,520.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers robust CPU and RAM configurations which ensure smooth performance for general tasks, and its screen quality is suitable for everyday use, though it's less portable and has a shorter battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio, on the other hand, is more portable, with a similar focus on CPU and RAM excellence, and while it also offers a high-quality display, it balances performance with better battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go users.
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio both have high-end GPUs and screen refresh rates that are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D rendering experiences. While the Alienware may offer a larger screen suitable for immersive gameplay, the Stealth's compact size offers better portability with a potential trade-off in screen size, but without compromising on the quality of the display or the gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.5
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio laptops both feature powerful CPUs and GPUs, ample RAM, and high-quality screens, making them well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks. While both offer high performance, the Alienware leans towards a larger build potentially affecting portability, and the MSI, being more compact, may have a quieter operating noise and a more travel-friendly design.
Content Creation
7.9
7.9
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.6
7.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Stealth 14 Studio are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has 5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | MSI Stealth 14 Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,520 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 12.4'' x 9.7'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 3.75 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 12.4" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 9.69" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 72 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware m16 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Momo Tabari | January 2024
"Alienware’s m16 R2 is a solid gaming laptop that leaves much to be desired, particularly in its quest to fulfill your needs as a product for productivity. Battery life under eight hours and a dim display are both vital issues for something that will accompany you through school projects or a workday. However, the Alienware m16 R2 is an exceedingly powerful gaming laptop, consistently being one of the best in our performance tests when compared against similar products. Even then, its display is lacking color, its fans get pretty darn loud, and its speakers aren’t punchy enough to rise above that noise."
MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | June 2023
"You'll find a versatility in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio that isn’t matched by many content-creator laptops we've tested of late. The small frame allows you to (potentially) work from anywhere with an outlet and, if noise isn’t a concern, run your most demanding of programs, thanks to some powerful hardware inside. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is an attractive and powerful option if you want a portable laptop to be the center of your content work setup."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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